The Pricing of Pricelessness

 

            In an attempt of immersing myself in my future vocation of international diplomacy rather than copious pools of alcohol like West Coast Rapper, Kendrick Lamar, my interest has been piqued by the tacit protocols of foreign cultures. For example, in many Asian countries, the concept of a “tip” is an invective symbol towards the recipient’s craft or trade. The reasoning behind this notion is that the individual regards his craft so highly that it in fact transcends monetary value. This is similar to me when I do a favour for a friend and he repays me with a “thank you” to which my retort is a nod of rejection because by him thanking me for a deed done without provocation suggests that it wasn’t expected of me as a friend primarily. This is similar to theories presented by modern philosophers today such as Michael Sandel who claim that we are slowly losing our respect for priceless items and experiences as we descend into a capitalist perdition.

            My Bosnian roommate spoke of his parents’ method of reward. Instead of presents, his family would travel the world and experience new places. This resonated with me very loudly. In a world filled with constant offers to treat; iPods, Houses, Cars and even to a certain extent People, someone still valued travel as the one thing you can purchase that can make you richer. Unfortunately, even that is now being denatured by money as one cannot experience an experience in its entirety without slipping the concierge $50 or the tour guide a few pence. This deeply disheartens Sandel and rightfully so as in the grander scheme of things, the mere swaying of a concierge is the least of our concerns. What if in the near future, Congressmen and elected civil servants elected to serve us were to accept brides or a bit of consideration “for your troubles” (not like they haven’t already).

            This devaluation of things that should not be valued is closely intertwined with the happiness of people. It’s of recent social phenomena that people now value money more than other people or experiences. Not only that, but we now measure our happiness wrongly; by the happiness of others. We watch television and we see the beguiling smiles of celebrities amidst their mansions filled with the finest of paintings and furniture, not their families or pictures of priceless experiences and we assume that that is what the paragon of happiness is so we try to chase it; some of us achieve it, most of us stagger to failure but even those who reach that status are truly unhappy as no human is truly happy. Humans are intrinsically fastidious thus measuring your happiness to another’s whose meter is forever pierced by the spear of dissatisfaction, is the most arduous and laborious exercise in futility.